Rattler/Firebird Home Page

Welcome to the snakepit! This is the home page of the Rattlers and Firebirds
of Company A/501st Aviation Battalion, 71st Assault Helicopter Company, 151st
Transportation Detachment, and the 94th Signal Detachment. We served in Vietnam
from 1964 until 1971, moving from our original base at Bien Hoa to Chu Lai
in 1967.

Firebirds attacking

Rattler & Firebird Names

The radio call signs “Rattler” and “Firebird” were
used by our aircraft during our service in Vietnam. “Rattler” was
used by our UH-1D & H helicopters (known as "slicks") that carried troops, supplies, ammunition,
performed command and control, combat assault, medical evacuation and insertion/extraction
missions, as well as many others. The call sign “Firebird” was
used by our UH-1B, C & M gunships, some of the most feared gunships in
all of Vietnam. You can find more about the call signs and where they came
from on our history page.

The Association

The Rattler/Firebird Association has no political agenda. We simply provide
a means to stay in touch with those who share our experiences and to honor the memory of those we have lost. If you served
with us, or with anyone else during the Vietnam conflict and nobody has told
you this already, we'd like take this opportunity to say, “Welcome Home!”

Director's Corner

December 8th...The newsletter was mailed this morning.
It will be posted on this site at some point after the new
year. rs

December 2nd...Our newsletter was taken to the printer
today. It should be mailed either by Friday or Monday.
rs

October 13, 2014.....Our contract was signed today with
the same Marriott Hotel that we used last summer, for our
next reunion. The dates are May 18-22, 2016.
rs......

September 3rd.....A new feature has been opened for our
wives who use Facebook. Kathy Bowen, wife of Hal Bowen (OF
67-68) is the creator of Rattlers
and Firebirds Wives. Our men who are reading
this should mention it to their spouse, especially if you
attend our reunions. The ladies will need to "friend"
Kathy Rogers Bowen to be included. rs